The need to protect our environment has taken the limelight as local authorities have started to promote the island of Cebu as one of the eco-tourism sites tourists can visit. Protecting the environment ensures the survival of flora and fauna endemic to the area.

Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary

Cebu is blessed with numerous natural tourist spots that have attracted local and foreign tourists. While some of these tourist spots have become too commercialized, there are still a number that have remained relatively undeveloped. One of these places is the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary.

Marine Sanctuary

The Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary is the oldest protected area for marine life in the province of Cebu. The marine sanctuary was established in 1999 with the purpose of protecting the marine resources of the town of Cordova. The community also helps in monitoring the marine sanctuary, which saw an increase in the number of fish in the area. Due to this, it has become one of the more popular dive spots in the area.

Even as the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary is a protected area, the local government has allowed tourists to enter the place. The marine sanctuary can be considered as a snorkeler's or diver's heaven since you can see the abundance of life under the water. You can easily see how rich marine life is in the area. Visibility can go up to 35 meters when conditions are right.

Since the sanctuary is surrounded by other islands in the area, you will not have to be anxious about the current of the water. The sanctuary is also a part of the shallow waters in the region. Divers can also opt to explore the walls in the area to have a closer look at the hidden wealth of the sanctuary.

Getting to the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary

You can hire a pump boat to bring you to the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary. You can get one offering guided tours or, if you are staying in one of the resorts in Mactan, you can request the resort to arrange a boat for you. When you visit the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary, you will have to shell out PHP100 for each person even if you have no plans of getting into the water. But, if you are planning to go scuba diving, be prepared to pay a fee of PHP300 per person. The boat trip from the mainland to the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on sea conditions.

Have you visited the Hilutungan Marine Sanctuary already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.